"This comes down to the way backbenchers feel they have been treated and how they are not listened to. There is a culture and a leadership style among those at the very top that a significant proportion of those backbenchers are not happy with. The complaints went to head office to be dealt with. However, no one sees this as a head office problem; it's a Kent problem. Pure and simple."
"There is little, if any, firm evidence to support the accusations against the four councillors. If you could think of the people least likely to have leaked the video to The Guardian, they'd be on that list."
"As standard, we don't comment on internal complaints."
At least five Reform UK councillors lodged official complaints about the leadership style at Kent County Council after a leaked clip showed leader Linden Kemaran shouting and swearing during a council meeting. Four councillors — Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Maxine Fothergill and Bill Barrett — had the Reform whip removed pending investigation. Complaints were passed from a regional Reform official to party headquarters. Rumours emerged of a summer rebellion and a possible breakaway group of up to 15 members. Complainants described backbenchers feeling ignored and unhappy with a top-level culture. Some complainants questioned evidence linking the four suspended councillors to the leak. Reform UK declined to comment on internal complaints.
Read at www.bbc.com
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